Home > Indian History > History of India > Revolts against Mughal Empire
Revolts against Mughal Empire
Revolts against Mughal Empire eventually led to the collapse of this dynasty. Peasant distress was one of the root causes of the rebellions that shook the Mughal Empire.

Share this Article:

The revolts against the Mughal Empire took place in different regions especially in northern part of the country. Various explanations have been put forward for the revolts that brought the collapse of Mughal Dynasty. Mughal Dynasty witnessed revolts against the Jats, Marathas, Satnamis, and the Sikhs. In the province of Agra, owing to the peculiarity of its climate the peasant masses of that territory were considered notorious throughout the vast country for rebelliousness, bravery and courage. Further, according to the historical records, the tract across the Yamuna River from Agra, the zamindars did not pay the revenue without a fight, and the peasants always carried firearms. The area on both sides of the Yamuna appeared constantly as the scene of military operations against rebellious peasantry.

The province of Agra also witnessed a Jat revolt during the rule of Aurangzeb. However, historians also claimed that in the earlier revolts, the revolting peasants were not identified as Jats rather they were identified as ganwar, or villager. The Jats were considered as a peasant caste; they inhabited villages between Delhi and Agra. Thus, it becomes quite clear that they had already participated in many of the previous conflicts with the authorities. The Jat rebellion dates from the time when Gokula Jat, the zamindar of Talpat near Mathura assembled a large army of Jats and other villagers and raised a rebellion against the Mughal Emperors. Over wide areas the peasants refused to pay revenue and took to arms. The leadership of the Jat rebellion were in the hands of the zamindars has been established not only from the known antecedents of its chief men, but also from their conduct. One of the results of the Jat rebellion was a great extension of Jat zamindari in the Braj-speaking area. The Jat revolt against the Mughal Empire grew in time into a large plundering movement. This was, perhaps, inevitable under the narrow caste horizons of the peasants and the plundering instincts of their zamindar leaders.

Interestingly, the Jat rebels had no connection with any special religious movement. On the other hand, in the Satnami and Sikh rebellions against the Mughal rulers, religion almost completely replaced caste as the surfacing bond among rebel ranks. The Satnamis were a group of Hindu mendicants. These rebellions did not exhaust the list of peasant revolts in northern India. Mughal rulers also faced rebels from Wattus, Dogars and Gujjars. Further, the Marathas undoubtedly constituted the biggest single force responsible for the downfall of the Mughal Empire.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.